Chapter 125

A faint smile curled at the corners of Isabella Valentine's lips.

She wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes and took Tiffany Roscente's hand, her voice soft yet laced with persuasion. "Tiffany, I truly envy you. At least you still have the chance to pursue your own happiness. Unlike me..." She paused, a shadow flickering in her eyes. "Even though I'm about to marry your uncle, his heart..."

Tiffany immediately understood, her eyes blazing with fury. "That Sophia Lowell again!"

"I'm just worried about you," Isabella sighed. "Professor Orlando is so outstanding—it's inevitable that some people might get... improper ideas. Especially..." She hesitated deliberately. "I heard Sophia is currently teaching at the university, on the same campus as him."

"What?!" Tiffany clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. "How dare she!"

Isabella subtly observed Tiffany's reaction before fanning the flames further. "What's even stranger is that she's just a fresh graduate, yet so many students are scrambling to attend her classes. There are already rumors circulating about her and Professor Orlando—"

"Shut up!" Tiffany suddenly snapped, her eyes glinting with something unhinged. "She won't get away with this!"

Isabella feigned alarm, covering her mouth. "I was only thinking of you—"

"Thinking of me?" Tiffany let out a cold laugh and pulled out her phone. "Let's see if she still has the face to stay at the university once her true colors are exposed!"

Isabella pretended to stop her. "Don't be rash. What if your uncle finds out—"

"Relax." Tiffany smirked darkly. "This time, I'll make sure she never recovers."

——

On the other side of the banquet hall, Theodore Orlando was guiding Sophia Lowell through the crowd of guests. He leaned down occasionally to whisper something in her ear, drawing curious glances from those around them.

"Is that the new protégé Professor Orlando took under his wing?"

"I heard she's exceptionally talented. Even he can't stop praising her."

Amid the murmurs, Sophia carried herself with effortless grace, unaware of the storm quietly brewing against her.